Over N2.13 billion has been disbursed to 3,301 vulnerable residents of Lagos within the last year under the state’s Eko Cares Financial Assistance Programme, underscoring an aggressive expansion of social protection spending amid mounting economic pressure on households.
- +Lagos expands social spending as welfare disbursements hit N2.13bn
The latest intervention pushes cumulative disbursements under the programme above N4.6 billion since 2020, with 11,991 households benefitting from various forms of state-backed welfare support, according to Afolabi Tajudeen, Special Adviser to the state government on Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement.
The latest intervention pushes cumulative disbursements under the programme above N4.6 billion since 2020, with 11,991 households benefitting from various forms of state-backed welfare support, according to Afolabi Tajudeen, Special Adviser to the state government on Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement.
Speaking on Monday, Tajudeen said the state had earmarked N3.14 billion for the programme in the 2026 fiscal year, signalling plans to deepen social spending as inflation, rising food costs and declining purchasing power continue to strain low-income residents.
The intervention spans direct cash transfers, medical bill support, educational assistance, housing aid and business start-up funding targeted at indigent residents, women, elderly citizens and persons living with disabilities.
Analysts say the scale of the programme reflects a broader shift by subnational governments toward welfare-driven economic stabilisation policies as Nigeria grapples with persistent cost-of-living challenges.
In addition to direct financial assistance, Lagos expanded maternal and child welfare interventions through its Mother, Infant and Child Development Programme, under which 2,315 pregnant women received nutritional support across six health districts during the review period.
Government spending on maternal nutrition and related support initiatives has now exceeded N641 million since the programme’s launch in 2020, reaching 8,595 beneficiaries cumulatively.
The state also intensified food relief distribution, delivering 20,000 food packs across the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas. Officials estimate the exercise impacted about 100,000 residents, including widows, low-income families and elderly citizens. Beyond welfare spending, the administration is also leveraging digital governance tools to strengthen citizen engagement and service delivery.
According to Tajudeen, the CitizensGate platform has surpassed 750,000 registered users, with 120 Ministries, Departments and Agencies integrated into the system. The platform reportedly achieved an 83 per cent complaint resolution rate after resolving 490 of 620 feedback reports received during the current cycle.
The government plans to scale CitizensGate users to one million ahead of the 2027 general elections while expanding civic education, voter mobilisation and grassroots engagement initiatives.
Tajudeen said the office also partnered with the Independent National Electoral Commission and the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission to engage 78,750 residents through voter education campaigns aimed at promoting political participation and accountability.
The state further disclosed that governance sensitisation and civic empowerment campaigns reached over 89,000 residents across underserved communities, while mediation and conflict resolution interventions were carried out for 34 groups dealing with land disputes, compensation matters and community tensions.
Officials say the broader objective is to strengthen participatory governance while cushioning vulnerable households from worsening economic conditions
